Power supply unit for aerosol generating device

Abstract

A power supply unit for an aerosol generating device includes a power supply, a heater connector connected to a heater configured to heat an aerosol source by consuming power supplied from the power supply, a connector electrically connectable to an external power supply, a charging IC which includes an input terminal connected to the connector and a charging terminal connected to the power supply, and is configured to convert power input to the input terminal and output power which is converted from the charging terminal, and a first load having one end connected in parallel with the input terminal. The charging IC is configured to supply power input from the power supply to the charging terminal to the first load via the input terminal.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A power supply unit for an aerosol generating device, comprising:
 a power supply;   a heater connector connected to a heater configured to heat an aerosol source by consuming power supplied from the power supply;   a connector electrically connectable to an external power supply;   a charging IC which includes an input terminal connected to the connector and a charging terminal connected to the power supply, and is configured to convert power input to the input terminal and output power which is converted from the charging terminal; and   a first load having one end connected in parallel with the input terminal, wherein   the charging IC is configured to supply power input from the power supply to the charging terminal to the first load via the input terminal.   
     
     
         2 . The power supply unit for an aerosol generating device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the charging IC is configured to generate high-voltage power by stepping up the power input from the power supply to the charging terminal, and supply the high-voltage power to the first load via the input terminal.   
     
     
         3 . The power supply unit for an aerosol generating device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the charging IC is configured not to supply the power input from the power supply to the charging terminal to the first load via the input terminal when power supplied from the connector is to be supplied to the first load.   
     
     
         4 . The power supply unit for an aerosol generating device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 when the external power supply is electrically connected to the connector, the external power supply and the first load are not electrically connected.   
     
     
         5 . The power supply unit for an aerosol generating device according to  claim 4 , wherein
 when the external power supply is electrically connected to the connector and the external power supply and the first load are not electrically connected, the charging IC is configured to supply the power input from the power supply to the charging terminal to the first load via the input terminal.   
     
     
         6 . The power supply unit for an aerosol generating device according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a switch provided between the connector and the input terminal; and   a controller configured to control opening and closing of the switch.   
     
     
         7 . The power supply unit for an aerosol generating device according to  claim 6 , wherein
 when the switch is opened, the charging IC is configured to supply the power input from the power supply to the charging terminal to the first load via the input terminal.   
     
     
         8 . The power supply unit for an aerosol generating device according to  claim 6 , wherein
 the switch is opened when the external power supply is electrically connected to the connector.   
     
     
         9 . The power supply unit for an aerosol generating device according to  claim 8 , wherein
 the controller is configured to close the switch after the external power supply is electrically connected to the connector.   
     
     
         10 . The power supply unit for an aerosol generating device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the charging IC includes an output terminal;   a second load having one end connected to the output terminal is further provided; and   the charging IC is configured to supply the power input from the power supply to the charging terminal to the second load via the output terminal.   
     
     
         11 . The power supply unit for an aerosol generating device according to  claim 10 , wherein
 the second load is operable at a voltage lower than a full charge voltage of the power supply.   
     
     
         12 . The power supply unit for an aerosol generating device according to  claim 11 , wherein
 the second load is operable at a voltage lower than a nominal voltage of the power supply.   
     
     
         13 . The power supply unit for an aerosol generating device according to  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a voltage converter connected between the output terminal and the second load and configured to output a constant voltage.   
     
     
         14 . The power supply unit for an aerosol generating device according to  claim 10 , wherein
 the charging IC is configured to supply the power input to the input terminal to the second load via the output terminal.   
     
     
         15 . The power supply unit for an aerosol generating device according to  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a step-up/step-down DC/DC converter connected between the output terminal and the one end of the second load, wherein   the step-up/step-down DC/DC converter is configured to:   step up or step down an input voltage to output a constant voltage when power input from the charging terminal is output from the output terminal; and   step down an input voltage to output the constant voltage when power input from the input terminal is output from the output terminal.   
     
     
         16 . The power supply unit for an aerosol generating device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the first load includes a notification unit configured to notify a user of information.   
     
     
         17 . The power supply unit for an aerosol generating device according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a controller including a control terminal connected to an other end of the first load and a ground terminal connected to a ground, wherein   the controller includes a built-in switch connected between the control terminal and the ground terminal.